Swarm also signs rookie Pat Smith; releases Eric Pacey

Bennett, 28, recorded four assists and collected 32 loose balls in seven games with Minnesota in 2011. The two-year veteran collected a game-high 12 loose balls during the Swarm’s nationally televised contest against Buffalo on March 27. After spending time with Edmonton in 2009, Bennett signed with Minnesota as a free agent midway through the 2011 season. This summer, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound transition specialist played for his hometown club, the WLA’s New Westminster Salmonbellies, and posted eight points (1g, 7a) in 17 games.

“Shayne is hungry to make a statement for himself in this league and we feel like he can do that here in Minnesota,” Associate General Manager Joe Sullivan said. “He gives us depth at the faceoff position and he is a rah-rah type of guy who brings energy in the locker room and on the floor. He’ll do whatever is asked of him to make the team better.”

Smith, 22, finished his senior season at Robert Morris University in 2011 and ranked second on the team in points with 47 (34g, 13a). The 6-foot-1, 200-pound forward also spent time with the Sr. A Nanaimo Timbermen. Minnesota selected Smith in the fifth round (31st overall) of the 2011 NLL Entry Draft.

Pacey, 33, recorded two assists and collected 14 loose balls in eight games with Minnesota in 2011. Pacey totaled 38 points (10g, 28a) and 225 loose balls in 83 games with the Swarm over seven seasons (2005-11). In 2008, Pacey tallied a career-high 10 points (2g, 8a) and collected 45 loose balls in 15 games. The native of Toronto, Ontario previously spent time in the NLL with Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.

“Eric has been a key contributor for the Swarm in the seven years of the team's existence, and we want to thank him for his many contributions over that time,” Sullivan said. “He has been a good leader both on and off the field, and his release is merely a reflection of our desire to rebuild through the draft. We know he will continue to have a very good career in the NLL.”